Mysterious cryptids are part of the passion of the press, sometimes even in Asia.

China merchants have a new creature in a cage. Remember the “Oriental Yeti” that turned out to be a civet? Well, this new animal’s photos are appearing on the web.

I know what it is, but would you like to have some weekend fun?

Identify this species in comments below, and I’ll post some answers after ten or so entries show up.

Thanks to Tojo Melville for the newstip.

About Loren ColemanLoren Coleman is one of the world’s leading cryptozoologists, some say “the” leading. Certainly, he is acknowledged as the current living American researcher and writer who has most popularized cryptozoology in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Starting his fieldwork and investigations in 1960, after traveling and trekking extensively in pursuit of cryptozoological mysteries, Coleman began writing to share his experiences in 1969. An honorary member of Ivan T. Sanderson’s Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained in the 1970s, Coleman has been bestowed with similar honorary memberships of the North Idaho College Cryptozoology Club in 1983, and in subsequent years, that of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club, CryptoSafari International, and other international organizations. He was also a Life Member and Benefactor of the International Society of Cryptozoology (now-defunct).
Loren Coleman’s daily blog, as a member of the Cryptomundo Team, served as an ongoing avenue of communication for the ever-growing body of cryptozoo news from 2005 through 2013.

I’d have to throw my hat in the ring with those identifying the “What-is-it” as a juvenile/malnourished(?) Common Spotted Cuscus, “Spilocuscus maculatus.”

Endemic to extreme northeastern Australia, New Guinea and nearby smaller islands, the Common Spotted Cuscus, a marsupial, attains an adult weight of 12 lbs and length of 48″, half of which consists of a prehensile tail. Generally nocturnal they are omnivorous eating: leaves, fruits, flowers, small animals, and occasionally eggs. Their major predators are pythons and larger birds of prey.

It is a Cuscus. Have handled these guys in captivity (licensed animals). Very sweet, generally slow moving, very waxy feeling fur – but then they’re from Oz/Papau and New Guinea rainforests so they need the waterproofing.